The Varangir

Alternatively Northmen, Varangians, or Seaborne, the Varangir (alt. Várangír) are an ethnic group of Humans originating from Varangard. They are physically the tallest and broadest stock of Human in all the World.

With practices and a culture that foreign scholars have described as primitive, the Varangir are famed and feared for the annual raids that they carry out on coastal towns and cities of the south, one raid even reaching as far as A'sair.

They speak a language called Varangish.

Culture
Varangir culture is harsh and brutal, where one rises to the top by making their worth known, or where one falls to the bottom or upon their sword.

Honor is among the most important virtues in Varangard. The worth of ones word is valued more than any gold or silver. The Varangir also strongly believe in the concept of fate, which they call wyrd, and that even the smallest breeze plays a part in the mighty storm.

As a result of the harsh conditions they live under, as well as the tribes of monsters that plague Varangard, the Varangir congregate in large, fortified towns where they seek strength in numbers. Farmers, hunters and warriors who brave the wilderness in order to sow, harvest, gather food and secure the borderlands are highly respected.

The Varangir look at the feudal governments of the Continent as overt treachery to nature. Any person, male or female, young or old, regardless of class, wealth or power has the right to use their voice and have it be heard at councils.

Practices
Most Varangir settlements have what is called a Heart Tree at their center. The sort of the tree is most often regional, and meant to show the health and prosperity of the land. Offerings are made to the Heart Tree, runes and faces are carved in its bark for blessings, and rituals, such as marriages, take place around it.

Religion
The Varangir revere the Thanir; gods of war and knowledge. They make offerings of mead and meat, and hope to die in glorious battle, so that the Chooser of the Slain might anoint them with a seat in the Halls of Valor, where the Varangir join their gods and ancestors. There, the Valherjar prepare for the final battle at the end of the world.

The Varangir also revere and worship nature itself, believing themselves to be a part of a grand cycle. One that has been going on for millennia, and will continue forever onward. As such, they generally despise anything that tries to break that cycle, such as undead.

Fashion
To display authority, many Jarls and chieftains wear mantles of animal pelt (often bear, boar, wolf or some other fiercer animal). It was once believed that the hide of a dead animal displayed proudly and prominently would ward off tricksters and elves.

Social Structure
Varangir society is built around a three class structure; Thanes, free folk and thralls. It is not uncommon for a person to move up or down in the hierarchy, based on their achievements and misdeeds.


 * Thane: The thanes are the ruling class. Jarls, chieftains, warlords and kings as well as their families and some members of their court all fall into this category. Thanes are often the ones to plan and lead raids into other lands, as well as exploits into the wilderness. Many thanes of old families and clans claim heritage to ancient heroes, as well as the Three Kings.
 * Free Folk: Free folk are the middle class, and make up the majority of the population. They are defined by owning land (or being the child or spouse of one who does), land which was often given to them by a Jarl or someone of the thane class. They are mainly farmers, but are known to make up the brunt of armies and raiding parties.
 * Thrall: Thralls are the lowest class in Varangir society. Before the Shattering, slavery was a common practice in Varangard, and slaves made up the majority of the thrall class. Within most clans now, slavery is outlawed and seen as a crime against nature, and thrall has become a term for farmhands, tennant farmers and servants; a general term for people who do not own land.

The Clans
Though the term Varangir summarizes the general cultural beliefs and practices of the Northmen, they are divided into a number of clans, who in turn each have their own traditions and political holdings. Each clan is led by a Jarl, where the position is rarely hereditary, but tied to election or ritual combat.